Picking Up the Pieces: The Congress of Vienna

Objectives 1.Explain what the Congress of Vienna was. 2.Define and explain “balance of power.” 3.Define and explain “legitimacy.” 4.Define and explain “nationalism.”

Europe in 1812

The Congress of Vienna (September 1, 1814 – June 9, 1815)

Main Objectives Undo everything that Napoléon had done: Reduce France to its old boundaries; French frontier were pushed back to 1790 level (to the beginning of the French Revolution). Restore as many of the old monarchies as possible that had lost their thrones during Napoleon’s reign. Supported the resolution: There is always an alternative to conflict. Undo everything that Napoléon had done: Reduce France to its old boundaries; French frontier were pushed back to 1790 level (to the beginning of the French Revolution). Restore as many of the old monarchies as possible that had lost their thrones during Napoleon’s reign. Supported the resolution: There is always an alternative to conflict.

Key Players at Vienna The “Host” Prince Klemens von Metternich (Aus.) Foreign Minister, Viscount Castlereagh (Br.) Tsar Alexander I (Rus.) King Frederick William III (Prus.) Foreign Minister, Charles Maurice de Tallyrand (Fr.)

Prince Klemens von Metternich The host and most influential representative at Congress of Vienna. Metternich was a conservative; he was opposed to revolution and preferred gradual change. Sought stability, law, and order over the civil liberties and rights ).jpg

Two Key Principles Established at Vienna Balance of Power Legitimacy Balance of Power Legitimacy The leaders of the big five countries wanted a balance of power, which is a political situation in which no nation is strong enough to endanger another. They also wanted the stability and continuity of legitimate governments (governments with the hereditary right to rule); they did not want more revolutions. The leaders of the big five countries wanted a balance of power, which is a political situation in which no nation is strong enough to endanger another. They also wanted the stability and continuity of legitimate governments (governments with the hereditary right to rule); they did not want more revolutions.

And One Major Effect The decisions made by the Congress of Vienna kicked off a wave of nationalism in a number of European Countries. Nationalism is the belief that peoples’ greatest loyalty should be to nation of people who share common culture or history, not to king or empire.

Objectives 1.Explain what the Congress of Vienna was. 2.Define and explain “balance of power.” 3.Define and explain “legitimacy.” 4.Define and explain “nationalism.”

Europe in 1812

Balance of Power in Europe Post-Congress

Turn to pg. 674 in your textbooks and take a look at the two maps at the top of the page. With one or two shoulder partners, list some of the changes made because of the Congress of Vienna. Be prepared to discuss in three minutes!

French Power Under Napoleon

French Power After the Congress of Vienna

France was lost all territory conquered by Napoléon. Russia was given most of Duchy of Warsaw (Poland). Switzerland made an independent country. Group of 39 German states loosely joined together as a Germanic Confederation dominated by Austria and Prussia. Austria was given back territory it lost, plus more in Germany and Italy. Austrian Netherlands and Dutch Republic united to form Kingdom of the Netherlands. Changes in the Balance of Power

After the Congress, the Balance of Power was more like this…

Than this.

Objectives 1.Explain what the Congress of Vienna was. 2.Define and explain “balance of power.” 3.Define and explain “legitimacy.” 4.Define and explain “nationalism.”

Monarchs Restored by the Congress of Vienna Louis XVIII of FranceFerdinand VII of SpainFerdinand I of the Two Sicilies

Establishing Legitimacy, Containing Revolution Monarchs in France, Spain, and in some Italian and Central European states restored. Powers affirmed principle of legitimacy; hoped monarchs would encourage stability. They believed that monarchs were the ones that had the right to rule.

They Wanted Rulers Like This Guy…

Not This Guy

Objectives 1.Explain what the Congress of Vienna was. 2.Define and explain “balance of power.” 3.Define and explain “legitimacy.” 4.Define and explain “nationalism.”

Map of the Germanic Confederation

Nationalism, and the Long-Term Legacy of the Congress of Vienna Nationalism spread to Italy, Germany, Greece, and other locations placed under foreign control. For all its flaws, the Congress of Vienna managed to create a stable Europe for the next 100 years (until World War I).